Gaza: As the Gaza Strip remains devastated from Israel's ongoing military offensive, the task of rebuilding the Palestinian enclave poses one of the most formidable reconstruction efforts in modern history. The relentless Israeli airstrikes since October 7, 2023, have decimated Gaza's infrastructure, leaving its 2.3 million residents facing catastrophic suffering and destruction.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli forces have killed or wounded more than 157,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, and have reduced thousands of homes, schools, and hospitals to rubble. Israel now faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, while the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ex-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Following a recently brokered cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, global attention has turned toward the daunting challenge of reconstructing Gaza. The agreement's third phase prioritizes rebuilding Gaza under several countries' and organizations' supervision. Experts caution that the road ahead is fraught with complex obstacles, ranging from the logistical nightmare of debris removal to the enormous financial burden of reconstruction.
Covering just 360 square kilometers, the Gaza Strip has endured destruction reminiscent of the world's most devastating wartime events. A damage assessment from the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) in September reported that two-thirds of all structures in Gaza had sustained damage.
The financial cost of rebuilding Gaza is equally overwhelming. In September, the Arab States Regional Bureau of the UN Development Program (UNDP) projected the total reconstruction cost at over $40 billion. The initial recovery phase alone, focused on restoring basic services and infrastructure, is expected to cost between $2 billion and $3 billion and take three to five years.
Experts agree that Gaza's reconstruction will be severely hindered by the Israeli blockade, which restricts the entry of essential construction materials. Shaina Low, a communication adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Palestine, highlighted the urgency of lifting restrictions on 'dual-use' items like timber, cement, and tools.
The safety of returning residents poses another serious challenge. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) estimates that 7,500 tons of unexploded ordnance remain scattered across Gaza, clearing which could take up to 14 years. Low stressed the importance of safety assessments due to the risk of unexploded ordnance and structurally fragile buildings.
Another major issue in rebuilding Gaza would be the housing and land rights of its Palestinian residents. Shifts in population distribution and ensuring equitable land sharing will be significant challenges once Palestinians can move freely around Gaza.
Questions remain about who will lead Gaza's reconstruction. Shayya, an assistant professor of architecture and urbanism, raised concerns about unchecked development and the potential loss of Gaza's historical and cultural significance if reconstruction becomes a free-market endeavor. He emphasized that the reconstruction process must reflect the new Palestine envisioned by Palestinians rather than merely treating Gaza as another construction site.